Briefs: Man arraigned in murder

A 35-year-old man pleaded innocent Monday while arraigned for the March 14 fatal stabbing of his mother in Carol Stream. Robert R. Lyons is charged with first-degree murder on suspicion he stabbed his mother nine times, then poured chemicals on her body. Rescuers found Linda R. Bolek, 61, on the kitchen floor of her condominium, where her son also lived. Lyons entered the not guilty plea before DuPage Circuit Judge Kathryn Creswell. Creswell ordered a psychiatric evaluation at the prosecution's request. Lyons is being held on a $2 million bond in the DuPage County jail. He is due in court again May 12.

Train kills Wheaton man

Wheaton police said Monday they're still investigating the death of a man who was struck Friday by a westbound Metra train. The accident occurred just before 7 p.m. at the Washington Street crossing in Wheaton. Metra officials said it appears all railway equipment was working properly at the time.

Theater plans on tap

The Helen Plum Library board is expected to talk tonight about the future of former DuPage Theatre site. The village wants to have a community discussion about what to pursue on the property at 101 S. Main St. The long-vacant theater was razed last year. The library board is among the groups invited to participate at 7 p.m. at 110 W. Maple St. whether they want to have a say in the property's future. The site has been suggested as a potential location for a larger library.

More candidates file

Three Democrats filed for DuPage County posts Monday, the last day to do so for the Nov. 4 election. Karol Sole of Westmont filed to run for a District 3 county board seat, which represents the southeast part of the county. Tony Michelassi of Aurora is seeking a District 5 seat, which is made up mostly of Naperville and Aurora. Addison resident Michael Braun is running for the District 1 forest preserve seat occupied by Republican Marsha Murphy. Green Party candidate Daniel J. Kairis of South Elgin filed to run against incumbent Randy Ramey and Democrat challenger Broc Montgomery in the 55th District state representative race. Another Green Party candidate, Downers Grove resident John Basco, filed Friday to run against incumbent state Sen. Dan Cronin of Elmhurst. Cronin heads the DuPage County GOP and is also facing a challenge from Oak Brook Democrat A. Ghani, who ran for Oak Brook mayor in April 2007 and came in last in a five-way race.

Naperville inspection plan

Naperville's Curb Appeal Program is back. The program was developed as a way to help keep neighborhoods well-maintained and safe. It establishes eight areas of basic life-safety and property maintenance components for the proactive inspection. Some of the components include garbage being placed out on the curb early, illegal parking, inoperable vehicles, trash and debris, obstructions of the right of way, absence of address numbers, tall grass and weeds and the condition of the building exteriors. The city's Code Enforcement Team will conduct a drive-by inspection of properties in the boundary area. Property owners with a violation will be sent a letter advising them of the infraction and be given 21 days to correct the issue. A follow-up inspection will be conducted to ensure compliance. The inspection area is set for south of Aurora Avenue to 75th Street, east of Route 59 to Washington Street and south of 75th Street east of Plainfield-Naperville Road to both the eastern and southern boundaries of Naperville. For more information, visit www.naperville.il.us.

Spraying program session

The city of Naperville will sponsor a public meeting at 7 p.m. Thursday to discuss the proposed aerial spraying of the Riverwoods Park area as part of the state's gypsy moth control program. The meeting will take place in the municipal center lunchroom on the lower level of 400 S. Eagle St. Spraying of insecticides is weather dependent but is anticipated to take place in late May with a second spray to follow one week after the first spray. Jim Cavanaugh, coordinator of the state's gypsy moth control program, will be on hand to explain the product that will be used and how the spraying will be conducted. Information on gypsy moths will be available; city staff will be available to answer residents' questions.